The facility has quickly attained an impeccable reputation since opening in December 2005. The partnership group took on the MacErin name in respect to the Cipa’s daughter, Macrina, a smiling 19-year-old student at Michigan State University, and Charles’ daughter, Erin.

Together the staff runs a charming if not well-maintained facility, and the folks who board their horses offer a unique slice of life that is MacErin Equestrian Centre.

Jan Valpredo of Eastpointe boards Daphne, a Registered Paint horse. Valpredo has been at the Centre for four years and said she has found her home away from home.

“I like this place; it’s close to home, they take care of Daphne,” Valpredo said. “She (Daphne) had bad habits, but we like it here. We wouldn’t go anyplace else.”

Glen Dimmler is a former race car driver turned cowboy from St. Clair Shores who works weekends in the barnyard, while tending to “Cody,” his snow white Tobiano Paint horse with chestnut markings.

“I used to race cars but that got too expensive, so I got back into horses,” said Dimmler, a proto-typical cowboy who travels from St. Clair Shores to find his paradise in Lenox Township.

“I ride for fun,” said Audrey, 13, who helps feed all the horses on Sundays. “Then I got into shows.”

Still, she was happy to be aboard “Cowboy,” despite his shortcomings. “Cowboy is a project horse,” Audrey reasoned. “I love him.”

Ten-year-old Willow Hollingsworth, a 5th grader from Richmond, pretty much can do it all having learned the tricks of riding on “Whiskey,” although on this day she was rehabilitating an injured horse, “Judd.”

“He was in stall rest for four months. I walk him around, and then trot him, getting him better,” said Willow, the picture-perfect definition of a Macomb County girl who loves horses. “We leased Judd, but I have my lessons on ‘Whiskey.’”

Of note, MacErin Equestrian Centre will be developing a cross country course starting this spring on its vast 25-acre property – just one of many things going on at the Lenox Township indoor/outdoor facility located at 26550 32 Mile Road.

For more information about boarding or lessons, call Anita Cipa at (586) 596-8606 or (586) 784-6070.

Sportsmen’s Direct fishing seminars on tap

Sportsmen’s Direct, 36072 Jefferson Ave. in Harrison Township, is hosting a couple of upcoming free fishing seminars on March 22 and April 5.

The first one is with Ross Robertson on “Spinner Rig Fishing for Walleye” on Friday, March 22 at 7 p.m.

Robertson’s travels have taken him from Western Europe to the Arctic Circle chasing fins and gills, but he has spent two decades fishing the Great Lakes, particularly Lake Erie. He will be speaking on spring walleye tactics around the Great Lakes, focusing on how tactics progress throughout the spring.

Also, Denny Lantzy will hold a seminar at Sportsmen’s Direct on “Walleye Jiggin” on Friday April 5, at 7 p.m.

Lantzy of Warren is a local walleye pro who will be talking about jigging the Detroit River and St. Clair River for walleye. He will also cover rods, reels, and line selection, and options for jig heads and soft plastics.

For more information, call (586) 741-6360 or visit www.sportsmensdirect.com.

Spring turkey licenses

Hunters are reminded to check their spring turkey drawing results and the availability of leftover licenses online at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings.

Leftover spring turkey licenses go on sale to unsuccessful license applicants on Monday, March 11, at 10 a.m. Licenses will go on sale to all other hunters, including those who did not participate in the application process, on Monday, March 18, at 10 a.m. Leftover licenses will be sold until quotas are met.

Hunting licenses can be purchased online at www.mdnr-elicense.com. Hunters may purchase only one spring turkey license in a season.

Workshop for inland lakefront property owners

Michigan State University Extension is sponsoring a workshop for lakefront property owners on Saturday, March 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at MSU Tollgate Education Center, 28115 Meadowbrook Road, in Novi.

Michigan has over 11,000 inland lakes and this event is for property owners to create, restore and manage natural shorelines.

Officials said the workshop is designed to educate interested lakefront property owners on natural erosion control methods and will discuss techniques for using natural landscaping along the shoreline to provide erosion control and habitat value while maintaining the aesthetic value of the lakefront.

Pre-registration is required. Registration cost is $45 per person on or before March 8. The cost is $55 on or after March 9. Workshop registration fee includes light refreshments, and other educational resources. Contact Bindu Bhakta at (248)-858-5198 or bhaktabi@anr.msu.edu.

Just a reminder

Council Shooting sports is offering training for NRA Instructor, NRA Range Safety Officer Training, BB Gun Rangemaster and Archery. Contact Connie Elliott of Council Shooting Sports at campconnie@aol.com. … Oakland County Sportsmen’s Club 3-D Archery Shoot is March 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Club 3-D championships are March 17. Call (248) 623-0444. … The Clinton River Watershed Council will hold a free Living Along the Water’s Edge presentation at the Lake St. Clair Metropark Nature Center on March 18 at 7 p.m. Call (248) 601-0606 to register. … U.S. Representatives Candice Miller (MI-10) will remain serving as the Co-Chair of the Congressional Boating Caucus for the 113th Congress. … Michigan ranks 3rd in the nation for retail sales on new powerboat, boat motor, trailers, and accessories with a total of $450 million. There were 803,391 registered boats in Michigan in 2011. … Pike and muskie spearing seasons end March 15. … Rabbit hunting season ends March 31. … Spring turkey season opens April 22. … Trout season opens April 27.